Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Syria: Rebels Reach Deal with Russia for Weapons Handover

Smoke rises above rebel-held areas of the city of Daraa, during reported airstrikes by Syrian regime forces on July 5, 2018. Syrian rebels reached a deal Friday with Russian officers on a phased handover of their weapons. (AFP)

South Syrian rebels said on Friday they had agreed with Russia to cease fire and start handing over heavy weapons.

A commander in the regional alliance supporting Head of Syrian Bashar al-Assad had earlier said regime forces were advancing through rebel territory along Syria's frontier with Jordan and would soon reach the countries' main border crossing, according to Reuters.

The rebels said the deal was brokered by Russia and would allow both "fighters and civilians" in opposition areas to settle their status with the regime under Moscow's protection.

Rebels who did not wish to come back under Assad's rule would leave for the insurgent stronghold in northwest Syria, they said.

The commander in the pro-Assad alliance told Reuters "the army and its allies had seized a string of villages and reached the border."

"Within a short period of time, they will reach the (Nassib) crossing," the non-Syrian commander said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Hundreds of troops in a large military convoy with Russian and Syrian flags were seen heading to Nassib border crossing.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.